Volunteer at the Linen Hall Belfast

Volunteer Now has partnered with Be Collective to bring a dedicated online platform for volunteering to Northern Ireland. The platform supports volunteers through the volunteering process and helps connect more people with a wider range of opportunities. There’s lots of great features to Be Collective like messaging, making a profile, and being able to compile all your experiences, training and roles as well as the skills gained within a social CV.You can search and apply for volunteer roles below. If you can’t find anything you like you at the moment – register now, then check back soon – new opportunities are added all the time!#### Tasks and responsibilities* Tours of The Linen Hall* Meet and Greet* Events* Linen Hall Charity BookshopSkills and experience gainedCommunication SkillsCustomer ServiceE-commerceEvent SupportFundraisingGuidingInterpersonal SkillsLibrary SciencesLiteracy/ReadingMerchandisingOffice ReceptionPublic SpeakingRetailSales ProcessStock / Inventory ManagementTeamworkTheatre ArtsCauses supportedArts, Culture & HeritageCommunityEducation & TrainingEnvironmentEqualityOlder People**The Linen Hall**The Linen Hall, an independent subscription Library was founded in May 1788 as the Belfast Reading Society by a group of “worthy artisans.” As the city of Belfast grew larger, the Society’s ranks were added to by the merchant classes and it was renamed the Belfast Library & Society for Promoting Knowledge with the mission statement: “The object of this society is the collection of an extensive library, philosophical apparatus and such productions of nature and art as tend to improve the mind and excite a spirit of genuine enquiry…”More recently the Library adopted the following mission statement:“The Linen Hall Library aims to increase knowledge and understanding both locally and internationally, by collecting, curating, conserving and providing access to an historic library with its associated artefacts, and a cultural centre, all with unique strengths in Irish and local studies.”**The Linen Hall Library welcomes voluntary help.**We welcome the participation of volunteers in our work and will do our best to ensure that the time you spend with us is effective for us and also contributes to your own personal development and fulfilment.**Types of Volunteers and Tasks****Tour Guide** – Would you like to deliver a tour that takes in the 237 year history of the iconic Belfast Library and Society for the Promotion of Knowledge.**Meet & Greet** – Welcome our members and visitors both local and from round the world**The Linen Hall Charity Bookshop** – We are looking for volunteers for shifts in The Linen Hall Charity Bookshop on Royal Avenue with retail experience.**Events –** support our Arts & Cultural Programmer by checking list of attendees and showing people to their seats. We have some amazing events in our program.This list is not exhaustive and you may have particular specialist skills which we can readily find particular uses for. Otherwise we will try to match your skills with our needs.There are a number of points that you should consider when you become a volunteer, and to help you we have listed some of these below.· Time InvolvedBefore making commitments, you should be reasonably certain that you can give whatever time is required. Sometimes this will be one day or morning, sometimes four or five days per week for a short defined period, or for an indefinite time-span.When you start with the Library, we will enter into a firm agreement with you as to the amount of time per week you will spend with us and the duration of your engagement.Your engagement with us is voluntary and you may terminate it when you so desire. We would, however, be grateful for reasonable notice of termination and ideally not less than one week.We may terminate the arrangement on the same basis.· Tasks InvolvedIt is useful to be clear from the beginning why you are involved, what you can expect and what is expected of you.We will at the outset provide an initial definition of your role and any training required.On the basis of experience this may alter and, or develop, in which case we will monitor the changed role.· ResponsibilitiesYou will be responsible to the Volunteer Co-Ordinator. All volunteers will have a named member of Library staff as their main point of contact, relevant to the type of work being undertaken.· ConfidentialityIt is vital that you maintain appropriate standards of confidentiality with regard to information that may become known to you while working with us.· Regular AttendanceIt will be possible to arrange your work according to the hours you wish to give, but reliability (including good time-keeping) will be expected. If for any reason you cannot attend when expected please contact your named staff member.· InsuranceWhilst working with us, you will have the same insurance cover that is provided for members of staff.· Health and SafetyIf you have any medical condition of which we need to be aware please notify us. This information will be kept confidential.Your health and safety comes first. If you have any concerns about the health and safety aspects of any work, you must seek advice before undertaking it. This applies in particular to lifting, for example, boxes of books or use of any unfamiliar equipment.· Evacuation ProceduresOn commencement you will be provided with a copy of our evacuation procedure. Full training in evacuating the building will also be given.· ExpensesYou will not receive pay whilst working with us. You will be entitled to reasonable expenses as set out below, but only when these are necessarily incurred during your working hours:(1) TravelIf you do not use your own car, you will be reimbursed all costs incurred in using public transport. If you use your own car, you will be paid the current mileage allowance. Rates are available from the Finance Manager, via your Supervisor.(2) ClaimsYou will be required to keep a detailed record of all expenses incurred and to submit to the relevant Supervisor a claim form in respect of these expenses, accompanied by receipts. Expenses cannot be paid unless this procedure is followed.· Social Security BenefitsVolunteering should not affect any social security benefits to which you are entitled, but to be absolutely certain about your position, you should check with your local DHSS office before committing yourself to voluntary work with us. You should also advise your local DHSS office you are undertaking voluntary work.· Preparation/InductionAll volunteers receive an introductory tour of the Library and its facilities and will be introduced immediately to the member of staff they will be working most closely with.· Support/TrainingAll volunteers need some support and this may come in a variety of ways and from different people. If you are uncertain or unhappy in your given role, please let your named staff person know as soon as possible.· Relationships between Volunteers and Paid StaffWe support good practice in volunteer/paid staff relationships. The following sets out good practice guidelines for the guidance of volunteers, which we fully subscribe to:(1) Voluntary work should complement the work of paid staff, not substitute for it.(2) Volunteers should be treated with equal respect to paid staff.(3) The engagement of volunteers, while of benefit to the Library should also enable their own personal development.(4) Volunteers should not normally receive financial reward (other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses).(5) Paid staff should be made aware of all proposed volunteer involvement. Any changes in the level or extent of voluntary work should be preceded by full consultation amongst interested parties.(6) #J-18808-Ljbffr